Let me preface this by saying that I'm very much a newcomer. My post count makes this obvious, but I first bought an HI khukuri in November, so compared to a lot of the knowledgeable posters on this forum, I'm a rank amateur.
That said, I have been a fan of these legendary blades, and the history and heritage of the people who make them for a while now. When I found this forum and would occasionally read posts from the devoted users of HI products the hook was sunk deeper, not only because of the previously stated admiration for these tools/weapons/works of art, but also because of the respect and care with which HI has treated these artisans from Nepal. Finally I went and pulled the trigger, and the HI addiction is now in full bloom.
Enough of my history. I only point it out because if you scan posts for kamis that are often admired and revered, you run a cross a veritable ton of posts on Bura and more Rajkumar - and judging from the pictures I've seen and statements I've read these praises are very deserved. Personally, I've picked up a total of 3 blades from HI - an 18" Sirupati by Tirtha, a 20" Chitlangi by Tirtha, and another 18" Sirupati by Rajkumar.
The first blade I received was Tirtha's 18" Sirupati. I was very impressed. I know HI doesn't consider the sirupati a real chopper compared to AKs or M-43s and the like (at least for warranty purposes), but I'm telling you, this thing is a beast of a siru, and I seriously doubt any of the regular chopping duties you'd put on a camp knife would pose much of an issue for it. Obviously it's far lighter than the meatier blades HI offers, but the spine is still wider than the vast majority of what you could find in a western heavy duty survival blade. I'd easily trust this thing to outlast me.
I bought the second 18" Siru for a friend who marvelled at the idea of these handmade monsters. This was Rajkumar's work. His command of the artistry aspect of crafting these blades is apparent and undeniable, even though this particular blade was sold as a blemished work due to some negligible hairline cracks in the handle. Rajkumar's blade would be far more suited as a pure martial weapon than Tirtha's Siru due to its lighter, quicker construction. Also, the design flourishes along the Sword of Shiva are just a little more crisp, a little more detailed. Again, as an offensive hand to hand weapon, it's hard to find any of these kukhuris that wouldn't be fearsome, but it would be a far easier thing to bite into an opponent with a ultra-fast blade like Rajkumar produced.
Then I picked up my 20" Chitlangi from the Valentine's Day special. Steely_Gunz has occasionally referenced blades calling to him (and I apologize if I've confused my posters, here), and often gives an impression of a nearly spiritual appreciation for some of these blades. I shrugged off the implication until I held this monster. Until this arrived, I felt like my 18" Sirupati was a monster of a knife. I've also held short swords and cutlasses before that were authentic, but none of them gave the air of complete capability you feel with one of these in your hand. Then you find an HI blade that is just yours, like Tirtha's chitlangi is for me. That blade in my hand seriously feels like an extension of my arm. I'm not blessed with enough knowledge to tell you if it's purely a matter of balance, or if the blade architecture just provides me with a blade weight to size ratio better compliments my grip and arm strength. All I can tell you is that the blade feels like it was made for me, and Tirtha has my extreme gratitude for producing this beast (as well as the rest of Himalayan Imports for doing their parts to get it here!).
Obviously, my admiration of Tirtha's work is a bit biased. But I'm wondering about the opinion of the HI forumites that have been here a while - is Tirtha just doing what Tirtha's always done, or has he passed a plateau and cranked his mastery up a notch lately?
That said, I have been a fan of these legendary blades, and the history and heritage of the people who make them for a while now. When I found this forum and would occasionally read posts from the devoted users of HI products the hook was sunk deeper, not only because of the previously stated admiration for these tools/weapons/works of art, but also because of the respect and care with which HI has treated these artisans from Nepal. Finally I went and pulled the trigger, and the HI addiction is now in full bloom.
Enough of my history. I only point it out because if you scan posts for kamis that are often admired and revered, you run a cross a veritable ton of posts on Bura and more Rajkumar - and judging from the pictures I've seen and statements I've read these praises are very deserved. Personally, I've picked up a total of 3 blades from HI - an 18" Sirupati by Tirtha, a 20" Chitlangi by Tirtha, and another 18" Sirupati by Rajkumar.
The first blade I received was Tirtha's 18" Sirupati. I was very impressed. I know HI doesn't consider the sirupati a real chopper compared to AKs or M-43s and the like (at least for warranty purposes), but I'm telling you, this thing is a beast of a siru, and I seriously doubt any of the regular chopping duties you'd put on a camp knife would pose much of an issue for it. Obviously it's far lighter than the meatier blades HI offers, but the spine is still wider than the vast majority of what you could find in a western heavy duty survival blade. I'd easily trust this thing to outlast me.
I bought the second 18" Siru for a friend who marvelled at the idea of these handmade monsters. This was Rajkumar's work. His command of the artistry aspect of crafting these blades is apparent and undeniable, even though this particular blade was sold as a blemished work due to some negligible hairline cracks in the handle. Rajkumar's blade would be far more suited as a pure martial weapon than Tirtha's Siru due to its lighter, quicker construction. Also, the design flourishes along the Sword of Shiva are just a little more crisp, a little more detailed. Again, as an offensive hand to hand weapon, it's hard to find any of these kukhuris that wouldn't be fearsome, but it would be a far easier thing to bite into an opponent with a ultra-fast blade like Rajkumar produced.
Then I picked up my 20" Chitlangi from the Valentine's Day special. Steely_Gunz has occasionally referenced blades calling to him (and I apologize if I've confused my posters, here), and often gives an impression of a nearly spiritual appreciation for some of these blades. I shrugged off the implication until I held this monster. Until this arrived, I felt like my 18" Sirupati was a monster of a knife. I've also held short swords and cutlasses before that were authentic, but none of them gave the air of complete capability you feel with one of these in your hand. Then you find an HI blade that is just yours, like Tirtha's chitlangi is for me. That blade in my hand seriously feels like an extension of my arm. I'm not blessed with enough knowledge to tell you if it's purely a matter of balance, or if the blade architecture just provides me with a blade weight to size ratio better compliments my grip and arm strength. All I can tell you is that the blade feels like it was made for me, and Tirtha has my extreme gratitude for producing this beast (as well as the rest of Himalayan Imports for doing their parts to get it here!).
Obviously, my admiration of Tirtha's work is a bit biased. But I'm wondering about the opinion of the HI forumites that have been here a while - is Tirtha just doing what Tirtha's always done, or has he passed a plateau and cranked his mastery up a notch lately?
I've had a few more of his blade cross paths with me, and I just really, really dig his work. He reminds me a lot of Kumar. Kumar used to make these really sharp, keen edged blades. He didn't quite polish his work to the level of some of his peers (I think his brother Sher put a bit more spit and polish on his work), but his edges just called to me. My first HI was a Kumar villager. Purchasing and using that knife was enough of an experience to send me down the path where you see me today...Hopelessly lusting after Nepali steel, still unable to get a "fix" enough to shake the habit
